Memorable Manitobans: David R. Finkelstein (1880-1952)

David R. Finkelstein Click to enlarge

Real estate agent, municipal official.

Born in Poland on 14 April 1880, he came to Winnipeg in 1885 and was educated at the Winnipeg Collegiate Institute and Manitoba College. He was Captain of the Shamrock Football Team (1902-1903), St. John’s Rugby Team, and President of the Civic Curling Club (1909-1910).

He commenced his real estate career in 1901 and worked as a clerk in the firm of F. W. Heubach and W. J. Christie. He helped in the development of the Tuxedo area of Winnipeg. He later served as Mayor of Tuxedo for 36 years, ending a year before his death. He was an active volunteer on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, having been an original member of a committee formed during the First World War to raise funds for it. In recognition of his community service, he received the King George V Jubilee Medal (1935).

He lobbied actively to move the campus of the University of Manitoba to a site in Tuxedo but his plans were thwarted when the University was consolidated with the Manitoba Agricultural College at the latter’s site in south Winnipeg.

He died at his Tuxedo home, 331 Kelvin Boulevard, on 14 February 1952. He is commemorated by Finkelstein Road.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: David Finkelstein Memorial Monument (Heubach Park, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Finkelstein House (211 Lamont Boulevard, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Lafleche House (400 St. Charles Street, Winnipeg)

Sources:

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, edited by C. W. Parker, Vancouver: Canadian Press Association, 1911.

“King to honor many Manitoba men and women,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 1935, page 1.

“D. Finkelstein dies at age 71,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 February 1952. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B10]

“Long-time Tuxedo Mayor, D. R. Finkelstein dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 February 1952, page 36.

Obituary, Biographical Scrapbook B10, page 204, Manitoba Legislative Library.

We thank Rick Mutton for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 2 May 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!